Katie, I know it is nothing I am saying as I am never rude or unprofessional towards a provider no matter how they might act towards me. I've even gone into appointments in the past and just talked to them the whole time because I like to talk to women that are bubbly and interesting. I love those types as I am always laughing and smiling in my life. I was even told by a past provider she liked seeing me because I was always smiling and cracking jokes and her past clients never wanted to talk to her, just down to business.
Actually I have had a different experience with the assistants (not agencies). I talked to both assistants and they seemed really pissed off at the provider, or maybe disappointed. The assistants were nothing but professional and they can only respond when the provider lets them know what is going on.
This continues to happen to me with well reviewed providers. They all have recent reviews too.
My story for the last two months:
Provider 1 - Set day and time via e-mail and I confirm over phone during the week. A few days before I text a question. No response. A day before I leave a voice message. No response. Appointment time comes and goes, nothing.
Provider 2 - Set appointment with assistant. She does not show. Assistant sends message she showed up 30 minutes early, knocked on my door for 15 minutes and got no answer then left. Strange because I was in my room one hour before and through the appointment time. I reschedule for the next day since it was offered. Appointment time comes and goes, no show again. Seems the provider thought the appointment was for the following day. Hmmm. Assistant told me they thought they made it clear.
Provider 3 - This was a second try because she canceled a previous appointment for her vacation. Again working through an assistant. Appointment made one month in advance because she books that far ahead...guess what? Assistant messages me six hours before appointment. Seems the provider is going on another vacation during my already scheduled appointment.
Provider 4 - Set appointment through e-mail and confirm. Provider will send me hotel info. Appointment comes and goes, no response from her about the hotel..
Well I just saved a bunch of money for not using Geicko and being dumb! This can't be a coinsidence. I haven't seen a provider since February and I am totally frustrated now. I mean to rant because I need to let it out. So many flakes out there.
Do you screen out fine ?
Give them enough screening info ?
I know, if you didnt, why would they book ?
some could just be getting scared at the last minute - arrested at the last minute -
February is crazy.
How bout not booking with agencies/ and assistants , and get a true blue independent ?
who knows -
Yes, two references for all. Got a passing grade on all as my references checked out. One provider even called my work to finish her screening. All that work and no courtesy shown to me. Not even a sorry can't do..
Like Ciara said, stop booking with anyone who uses an "assistant". If the girl is too busy to answer her own phone, e-mails, etc., then she's probably too busy to see you.
Before I get blasted, I'm sure there are a few reputable people out there who use those "assistant" services. From the complaints I've seen, they're few and far between. I've been contacted by those offering to be my "assistant", and my reply is the same. I prefer to answer my own phones and e-mails, and do my own screening, so that I'm not walking into something blind.
Also, texting? Really?
I know it's a big thing now, but please, just call and leave a message. If she doesn't return your call in a reasonable time (and your message should include that you'd like a call back), then assume that the date is canceled. Be sure you wait at least 24 hours for a call back. Sometimes we are not in a position to pick up messages or return phone calls.
There is no excuse for unprofessional behavior on the girl's part. I'm not trying to excuse it. But being burned 4 times in 3 months really sucks. Maybe you should take a closer look at who you are choosing, how they're similar (i.e. 20 somthing's, using an "assistant", etc) and then choose something different.
Just my .02
Ciara, about the texting. Provider 1 left me a voice message specifically stating the best way to reach her was text and she wanted me to respond that way.
This is why some of us have asked TER to have an area on provider reviews in which no-shows can be indicated. THus far, nada. This happens to all of us time to time. You are just going through a bad patch. Try an indie although even then, this can happen (in my case the provider calls me 30 minutes before saying she has a bad cold!). I figure that if the provider still came even if she did not want to, it would be bad experience.
Because I get a lot of advance booking, I make it a point to keep confirming an appointment. When you confirm and don't hear back from her, I suppose it's a no go and find someone else?
I would offer that maybe you should stop booking far in advance and instead book a week in advance so you're sure the lady will be in town. If it's a miscommunication with assistants, you might try seeing ladies who don't use assistants.
I don't know what you may or may not be saying to these providers and if that may be the impetus for their cancellations, but I would also examine whether you're using language that would scare a woman off. Do you have references that are reliable? Are they passing on you for not screening out and just giving you a lame excuse? These are all things to think about.
Additionally, I would consider that it may be a type you're going for as well, a flaky type. We all get busy and have things come up that force us to cancel from time to time, but if it's a consistent thing, I would honestly consider that something's going on and try to examine not only the women I was contacting, but my own behavior...
Katie
Katie, I know it is nothing I am saying as I am never rude or unprofessional towards a provider no matter how they might act towards me. I've even gone into appointments in the past and just talked to them the whole time because I like to talk to women that are bubbly and interesting. I love those types as I am always laughing and smiling in my life. I was even told by a past provider she liked seeing me because I was always smiling and cracking jokes and her past clients never wanted to talk to her, just down to business.
Actually I have had a different experience with the assistants (not agencies). I talked to both assistants and they seemed really pissed off at the provider, or maybe disappointed. The assistants were nothing but professional and they can only respond when the provider lets them know what is going on.
What you didn't say is whether these ladies have reviews or not!! Just curious since this hasn't happended to me yet with reviewed providers.
I echo the sentiments of those who believe that dealing with an independent companion is an easier and much more joyful way of enjoying your hobbyist time. I feel that with ladies who work as independents, you have a higher liklihood of hearing back from her and that she will stay on top of things such as showing up on time as she is running her own business and this is her livlihood in many cases.
--Sitara Devi
Actually I have to inject here. My ATF uses an assistant but she is independent and use to take her own emails. She is so popular now she has to use an assistant. Not once has she missed an appointment and just once there was an issue but it was the assistants fault. Miscommunication on available dates. Unfortunately I can't see her often as her rate has increased and I no longer live in her home city...at least I can say I met a great friend like her through this. If only they all are like her...
You don't read so well, chooch. He states that they're recently reviewed in his first line! Consider yourself lucky that it's not happened to you (YET!). Even well-reviewed ladies can go totally flaky on you! It's the nature of this business!
-- Modified on 5/13/2008 10:10:26 AM
Sorry I thought I added that. Every one had recent reviews. Least had just 3, the most had 14.
NO appointments! NO rubbers! You just sidle up and commence wrestling with her compliant ass!
Then when she starts whining about committment, you fire her ass!
If it was raining soup, you'd probably be standing outside with a fork.
Don't get too discouraged. There are lots of ladies for you to choose from. Just start over. It seems like your luck has to change.
SUCKS!
I am sorry.
I PREFER advance appointments. ON TIME, no early, no late. If something happens I can't, I let them know. Whch has been extremely rare over the time I have been doing this.
I find it so odd that she has recent references, you set it up via e-mil, called and confirmed (VERY GOOD Steps for you as a client!) and then this happens. Someone mentioned jail... That ould have happened and it was "ush hush make excuses"time. I can't think of any other reson you could not have been forewarned. I also find it unacceptable that if she wished to arrive early you were not notified.
Bad,bad,bad.
Better luck to you, blessings and peace,
Cheyenna
Cheyenna, well with the one that showed up early. I have since talked to the assistant and it seems pills/drugs might have been the issue on both instances. This was actually a porn star too so I can believe it but the assistant was guessing. So I can't say what actually happened. The assistant was a sweetheart about it though..I felt sorry for the assistant, that she has to deal with that...if only she were available...
Some responses blamed the guy for not booking with indies, even though his original post it appears that Provider 1 and Provider 4 were independent.
Others blamed him for not clearing screening - then why would these providers set a date/time before screening is complete?
And finally, he said in his original posting, that these were all well-reviewed providers.
My opinion - there's nothing more you could have done, dude. You are just having a bad run. For every provider that prefers to book ahead, you can find 5 others who prefer 24 hours or less. There is no 100% guarantee, unfortunately.
Be glad you didn't get the appointment - their behavior is a sure sign that those providers do NOT respect you, or any of their clients.
Providers #1, #2, and #4 probably either got better offers in the meantime, an old favorite customer was given your time slot, or they decided to hang out with their friends, and are not professional enough to cancel their appointments.
Actually, I get this from clients sometimes. I guess they don't take my business very seriously either. Anyway, the place you're calling sounds lame. Try another, hon.
Hugs,
Ciara